Seasonal campers protest rate increase at county-owned campgrounds
Branch County has five parks: Angel Cove, Gilead Lake, Memorial Park, Quincy-Marble Lake and Riverbend.
Three have public campgrounds — Angel Cove, Memorial and Quincy-Marble Lake. This fall, Branch County announced a $500 seasonal rate increase from $1,500 to $2,000 per lot, for each of the parks, with the exception of Angel Cove waterfront lots which are $2,100.
The increase didn’t go over well with some seasonal campers who arrived at the November county parks board meeting to voice their discontent. Eleven spoke during public comment, about half from Angel Cove and half from Memorial Park.
The most common complaint was insufficient electric service. Angel Cove campers spoke of flooding and standing water during heavy rains and did not feel their park was sufficiently maintained. Trees that came down in summer storms were not removed in a timely fashion.
Roger Black, of Angel Cove, said if the rates are being raised why couldn’t some of it go for entertainment and better maintenance.
“There are a lot of things I consider normal maintenance over the years that has been neglected,” Black said.
Joan Colitti of Angel Cove, sent commissioners photos of Angel Cove’s conditions.
“We walk around in rubber boots all summer because it’s like a swamp,” she said.
Randy Daniel, of Memorial Park, said, “Why are you making us pay so damm much, but you’re doing nothing?”
County commissioners on the parks board are Steve Weigt, Randy Travelbee and Bob Mayer. One stated it has been a long time since they’d raised rates.
“We raised the rates to improve all the parks,” said Weigt, chairman of the board.
“We have a master plan and it included all the parks,” said Jay Miller, head of the parks department and the road commission. “It’s aggressive. It’s for three years. A lot of things you mentioned are included within the master plan from the WiFi to the drainage. We’ve talked about paving.”
The three major storms of the summer did result in downed trees, Miller said. It was challenging to keep up this year.
The commissioners promised to get back to the seasonal campers in the near future.
Following the meeting, Miller supplied the Daily Reporter with a list of six privately owned campgrounds in Branch County. Seasonal rates range from $4,500 to $2,150 at five. Only one is lower at $1,700. The private campground rates are also listed on their websites.
Branch County Parks:
Angel Cove on River Road, Coldwater, with six acres was acquired in 1977. The playground, boat launches, picnic shelter, shuffleboard and basketball amenities are mostly available only those camping on the 110 sites.
Memorial Park is on Messenger Lake, North Behnke Road, Coldwater. It was acquired in 1964 and is about 30 acres with boat launches, restrooms, parking, 52 campsites, cabin rental, picnic facilities, athletic facilities, pavilion rental.
Quincy-Marble Lake Park on Lake Boulevard in Quincy was acquired in early 1970s. It has about 60 acres with boat launches, 129 campsites, picnic facilities, restroom, parking and pavilion rental.
Gilead Lake Park about six miles south of Bronson on Booth Road, about six acres leased in 1975 includes boat launches, restrooms, parking and picnic facilities.
Riverbend Park on Union City Road, Union City, of 25 acres and was acquired in 1972. It offers picnic facilities, canoe access, parking, pavilion rental and disc golf course.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: Seasonal campers protest rate increase at county owned campgrounds
